Part 21

Posted: October 2003
Author: Inwe Saralonde

*****

‘Doing everything that I believe in
Going by the rules that I've been taught
More understanding of what's around me
And protected from the walls of love
All that you see is me
And all I truly believe
That I was born to try
I've learned to love
Be understanding
And believe in life
But you've got to make choices
Be wrong or right
Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like'

‘Born to Try' – Delta Goodram
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Legolas' POV

The question slipped out. I don't know who was more horrified – myself or Aragorn. I looked at him, and saw the hurt in his eyes. He dropped his hands to his side, and backed away from me.

"I'm sorry, Aragorn! Forgive me – I shouldn't have asked that! It was wrong of me. Please!" I was begging, I knew, but when I stretched out my hands to him, he moved further away.

Aragorn shook his head slowly. "No, Legolas, you shouldn't have asked that," he murmured, and began to make his way to the door.

"NO!" I shouted. Then in a quieter voice, I continued: "Please, Aragorn, don't leave. Please…"

Dropping his hand away from the door handle, Aragorn made his way to a chair and sat down. He stared at the floor, seemingly lost in thought, before raising his head and looking at me.

"Forgive me," I whispered, unable to take the look of sorrow in his face.

"Is it so important to you, Legolas, to know how well Haldir kissed? Do you really want me to make a comparison between the two of you? Of all the stupid, ridiculous questions to ask! Why, damn it?!" Aragorn's voice was louder now, fuelled by anger.

"Because I want to know!" Oh Gods, I cannot believe I just said that. Neither could Aragorn, judging by the incredulous look on his face.

"What? I can't believe I'm hearing this!"

For a moment there was silence, then Aragorn chuckled, as if all of a sudden he found the whole thing amusing.

"I suppose that next you'd like me to make a comparison between your chest and his – who is the more muscular, or whatever ridiculous thing you can think of? I suppose I should be thankful that there is nothing *else* for which I need to make comparisons of." The sarcasm was positively dripping from Aragorn's voice.

I looked away, feeling totally foolish and wishing that *I* could be the one to escape.

"Look at me, Legolas."

Swallowing hard, I did as he asked. "I love *you*, Legolas," he said. "I always will. There will never be another for me." He rose from the chair and approached me.

"I don't want your jealousy to come between us, Legolas." He quickly put a finger against my lips to silence me. "I don't want you thinking every time I talk to someone that I'm going to tumble into bed with them. That's just not going to happen. You need to trust me, as I need to trust you. I'm willing to do that – are you?"

I looked at the man standing before me. Here I was, an immortal, over 2,000 years old, yet it was Aragorn, so much younger than I, who was showing the greater wisdom.

"You're right Aragorn. It's just…" I faltered, trying to find the right words. "It's just that others – like Haldir," here I looked at Aragorn, but he showed no annoyance in my mentioning Haldir's name, "others that find you attractive, and would desire you. You have an air of mystery about you that draws people to you, and they wish to know what hides under the mask that you wear. I'm afraid…to lose you…"

Aragorn pulled me into his arms. "Oh, meleth-nîn," he said. ‘Meleth-nîn' – I couldn't help but feel a frisson of pleasure.

Looking into my eyes, he continued: "You know that I am mortal. While I will live longer than other men, one day I will pass from this world. You will, in effect, lose me in that way, though it pains me to say this. Nay, hush, Legolas," as I tried to protest, "I will be with you for as long as you will have me."

"Forever, Aragorn, forever," I whispered fiercely. I buried my face into his neck, breathing in his scent, wanting to imprint it onto my mind. We stood there for a time, just holding each other, until there was a knock at the door. We pulled apart, and Aragorn went to the door and opened it.

"Ah, Aragorn. I was wondering if the Prince were with you?" Saelbeth. I sighed, knowing why he was here.

"Yes, Saelbeth?" I asked, making my way to stand next to Aragorn.

"The King wishes for you to see him in his study – immediately."

"Thank you, Saelbeth." I looked ruefully at Aragorn, and he nodded in understanding. "Do you wish for me to come with you?" he asked. "To present a united front, shall we say?"

"I would not have you look upon me as a coward, Aragorn, that I cannot face my own father," I said, "but I am grateful for your offer."

"I never said or implied you were a coward, Legolas. But at least your father will see that we have ‘resolved' our differences."

"True, but it will not only be my father that I need to face, but Haldir as well. I owe him an apology for my actions earlier."

"Then let us not wait keep your father waiting any longer."

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Aragorn's POV

Legolas and I made our way to the King's study. I could see the pensive look on Legolas' face, and I gave his hand a slight squeeze in reassurance.

Knocking on the door, we heard the stern command ‘Enter!'. We entered, and found that Haldir was there as well, wearing a smug, self-satisfied smile.

Legolas looked at me briefly, then made his way to Haldir.

"I wish to apologise, Haldir. I had no right to attack you the way I did. My behaviour was inexcusable. I can only hope you can forgive me for this transgression, and you have my word that it will not happen again."

Legolas then turned to his father. "My Lord, I apologise for my actions earlier. It was not my intention to bring Mirkwood into disrepute by my behaviour, nor do I wish for relations between Mirkwood and Lothlórien to be harmed in any way."

Haldir looked at Legolas, a little nonplussed. I hid a smile – obviously Haldir was not expecting Legolas to take the initiative. Even Thranduil seemed surprised. Haldir cleared his throat, and taking a quick glance at a bemused-looking Thranduil, he said: "I accept your apology. As you said to the King, relations between the two realms shouldn't be harmed because of a ‘slight' misunderstanding."

I noticed the emphasis on the word ‘slight', as did Legolas but, to his credit, he said nothing.

The King rose from his chair, and approached his son. "At least you saw the error of your ways, Legolas, and apologised. As far as I am concerned, this matter is now closed." Thranduil then glanced at me.

"Aragorn – I take it that you and Legolas have settled matters between yourselves?"

"We have, my Lord," I said.

"Good, good."

Turning to Haldir, the King said: "As you have decided to return to Lothlórien immediately, I wish you all speed on journey, Haldir."

"My Lord," said Haldir, bowing to the King. Then with a nod in Legolas' direction, Haldir started to leave the room, pausing briefly to look at me and mouthed: ‘Until next time'. Before I could react, Haldir left.

I looked at Legolas; he stood there, puzzled, obviously wondering what had just happened. I gave a small shrug with my shoulders, and we both looked at Thranduil as he addressed us.

"Finally – it's taken you both long enough to sort this out. I, for one, was beginning to get rather tired of all of this. So, tell me," he said, making his way back to his chair, "what did you say to each other that finally brought you both to your senses?"

Legolas and I looked at each other. "Ada, that is between myself and Aragorn," Legolas said, smiling. "After all, I don't know every detail about yourself, nor do I wish to."

"That's because some things are *private*, pen-neth," Thranduil retorted.

"Exactly, Ada, exactly."

Thranduil smiled ruefully.

Turning towards me, the King said: "Aragorn, you are welcome to stay for as long as you wish. You and Legolas will wish to…ah…get to know each other a little better."

I suppressed another smile. "I accept your kind invitation, my Lord," I said, glancing at Legolas, and saw the warmth reflected in his eyes. Oh yes, I was looking forward to getting to know Legolas a little better – much, much better…

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Translations:

Meleth-nîn – My love
Ada – Father
Pen-neth – Young one

*****

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